Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 27, 2021 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bald Eagle | 2 | 12 | 12 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 8 | 14 | 14 |
Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 6 | 6 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 52 | 159 | 159 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Golden Eagle | 2 | 5 | 5 |
American Kestrel | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Merlin | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Peregrine Falcon | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Total: | 71 | 228 | 228 |
Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
Total observation time: | 7 hours |
Official Counter | Debbie James |
Observers: | Carol Cwiklinski, Robert Klipp, Steve Small, Susan Blansett |
Visitors:We set up north of the station, and so only had a couple of people stop to
talk.
Weather:Windy day. Once the temperature came up it made being on the Ridge a
little more comfortable. High-ish humidity up to 40%.
Raptor Observations:Bonanza day for Red Tail migrators. Also wonderful seeing the peregrines,
Golden and Bald Eagles, and Merlins. Locals observed: at least 3 Red
Tailed Hawks; one Golden Eagle; and a pair of American Kestrels. Most
migrators were above the Ridge or close to it, and also very high, catching
thermals that zoomed them north FAST. No flapping with those hawks.
Sharpies were low and easy to see, as well as the Bald Eagle, who was very
spectacular.
Non-raptor Observations:Other species heard or seen: 1 Woodhouse's Scrub Jay; 13 Common Ravens
including a couple flying an elaborate courting display; 13 American Crows;
2 Townsend's Solitaire; 9 American Robin; 1 Mountain Bluebird; and
Hooray--our first White Throated Swift for the season.
Predictions:Hopefully another heavy day for migrating raptors.
Report submitted by DAVID HILL (
)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at:
http://www.dfobirds.orgMore information at
hawkcount.org: [
Site Profile] [
Day Summary] [
Month Summary]
Site DescriptionDinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may
be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged
Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see
resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to
migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and
Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern
Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes
Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White
Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers from about 9 AM
to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
Directions to site:From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left
into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow small signs from the
southwest end of lot to the hawkwatch site. The hike starts heading east on an
old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the
ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, head through the
gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the ridge.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)